I am not talking about whether leaders are born or developed.
I am talking about architecture.
Once I was enjoying a Cleveland Orchestra outdoor concert at its summer home, the Blossom Music center, with the architect who designed this amazing Structure 50 years ago - Piet van Dijk.
In his 80's and as a 20-time world medalist in swimming, Piet exudes passion.
With sparks in his eyes, Piet shared with me a piece of architecture writing that he came across in 1960, by the Renaissance architect and critic Georgio Vasari. Vasari once described a building that was so perfect, so right, as "non murato, ma veramente nato", which means "not built but actually born".
Piet said that concept of being "born" was part of his inspiration when later designing the Blossom Music Center in 1966, "facing the challenge to blend architecture, structure, landscape, acoustics (music) all together into a timeless ensemble as if it had just grown out of the land".
As I was thinking about this way of looking at architecture, while experiencing this awe-inspiring structure right before my eyes, I found this perspective of a building being "born" vs "built" refreshing and fascinating.
I wonder what we might be able to learn about leadership from this perspective.
As a leader, we build a body or a structure of our impact. Sometimes we can get deep into building an impact that we may forget to pay attention to what and who is around us.
What if our leadership impact can be experienced by others as "born" vs "built"?
What if we could better leverage the power around us so we don't need to "lead" so hard to "move the boat"?
As we exert our influence, what if we all made a point to study the natural strengths of those people in our leadership surroundings?
What if those whom we lead found us appreciate, honor, and accentuate what they each bring in their own natural, powerful ways?
Maybe, we can then be the orchestra conductor, highlighting an array of amazing instruments in perfect harmony.
Music, will be "born".
Today, I have no suggestions. Just sharing my curiosity and inquiry. Maybe, like me, you will find the practice of pondering to be more powerful than the act of following a "how to".
